Why Dogs Sit Close When We’re Struggling

There are days when Smokey doesn’t leave my husband’s side. He doesn’t need to be called or guided. He simply moves closer, curls up beside him, and stays. On those days, Smokey’s presence feels intentional, as if he understands when the weight of PTSD becomes heavier than usual.

Living with someone who carries PTSD means learning to recognize the quiet signs. Some days are calm. Other days are filled with tension, anxiety, or exhaustion that arrives without warning. Smokey seems to sense those shifts before words are spoken. He sits closer, presses his little body against my husband, and offers comfort without needing anything in return.

As a spouse, I have learned that healing does not always look like improvement or progress. Sometimes healing looks like companionship. Smokey reminds us that comfort does not require fixing what hurts. His closeness offers reassurance when emotions feel overwhelming and words fall short.

Dogs sit close when we’re struggling because they respond to what they feel, not what they are told. Smokey’s loyalty has shown me that love can be quiet, steady, and deeply healing. In moments when PTSD feels isolating, his presence is a reminder that no one in this journey is truly alone.

This story is part of a longer journey I wrote about in my book.

Smokey The Little Dog That Save Us